Celebrated impressionist Rich Little got his first career-related laugh after imitating a teacher at school. He was pleased with the reaction he got from the other students, so he went on to imitate more teachers.
“I finally got to the point where I could do almost all my teachers and they knew I could do them, so they didn’t ask me any questions in school for fear they would hear me answer them in their voice,” he said.
Little grew up in Ottawa until he was about 24, when he moved to the United States. His American television debut was on The Judy Garland show in 1964, where his impressions were a great hit.
Over the years he enjoyed many TV appearances, including cracking up Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show and frequent appearances on Dean Martin’s Celebrity Roasts.
Little was always a curious observer. After leaving a restaurant he could always recall what the server was wearing and how many people were sitting at the bar. He would study people’s mannerisms, the way they walked and the way they held themselves.
“I would have made a good detective,” he said.
Today Little can do close to 200 impressions. When choosing a person to imitate, Little said he looks for people with a different kind of sound. Easy subjects have included people like Andy Rooney, Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Truman Capote, he said.
Some of his personal favourites include Johnny Carson, Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, who he described as “much larger than life.”
Some of Little’s career highlights include working with Frank Sinatra in Ottawa in the ‘70s, raising money for the civic hospital, as well as hosting his own show for a year in 1976. Little also listed imitating Reagan at the President’s inauguration as a key moment in his career.
“Seeing Reagan fall on the floor when I did him, that was pretty funny,” he said. “It was a pretty great moment.”
Little currently resides in Las Vegas, and is bringing his show to the Port Theatre this month. He said he’ll change up his act a bit for the Canadian audience and the show will feature about 50 impressions, including some popular singers.
Although he’s been doing impressions for over 50 years, Little isn’t slowing down. In 2011 he hopes to take his play, Jimmy Stewart and Friends — where he does 24 different impressions — to Broadway.
“That’s always been an ambition of mine, to go to Broadway,” said Little. “Even if it’s a short run, just to go to Broadway with a show would be great.”
Catch Little’s show on Jan. 30 at the Port Theatre at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $70, $66 for members. Visit www.porttheatre.com for tickets and more information.
For more on Rich Little visit www.richlittle.com.